Old VHS tape to computer and then to dvd

[malisamson]

Now I need to get one thing strait, What is the easiest way to rip an old VHS tape to my computer...Can someone plz tell me what and how to do it

[Baatfam]

You ask a big question, friend
I suggest you read a lot of the guides/how tos/what iss/lists to the left. And do some searches and reading first.

What exactly do you want to do? This is important.
Your topic says "Old VHS tape to computer and then to dvd"....
So...do you have to get it on your computor? Or is a simple copy of the tape on DVD your final goal?
If that is what you want, a stand alone VHS to DVD recorder is your easiest option.

Hope that gets you goin' in the right direction....

Later,
Bob T.

[dphirschler]

Stand-alone DVD recorder is the easiest method to get it to DVD. But if you want to go through the PC, it is not exactly easy. Here are some topics you can research:

1. Analog capture - This is the step that gets it into the PC. You'll need a capture card for this and a decent PC. Oh, and lots of harddrive space. Once you start down this road, your issues (and questions) will become more specific. You may even need to look into getting a really good playback VCR and maybe even a TBC.

2. Video editing - This can be as simple as cutting commercials or other unwanted parts. But it can get very involved as you stray into video restoration. Again, you may be looking at getting a nice VCR and/or a TBC. You may also find yourself learning about different video formats such as PAL and NTSC, film vs video, and 3:2 pulldown.

3. MPEG encoding - You'll need to learn the specs for DVD MPEG2. Then you'll need to check out a few encoders. This can be tricky as you'll need to learn (through trial and error) what kind of video makes a good encode. In short, the cleaner the better. You you may find yourself going back into video editing/restoration.

4. Audio preparation - Make the audio clean and get it ready for DVD. Yous may decide to encode the audio to AC3.

5. DVD authoring - You'll have to learn about putting chapters, making simple menus (if you want), and the file format of a DVD. This may also take you back to encoding the video since you'll want to use up all the space you can on the disc.

6. Burn the DVD. Finally, an easy part. The hardest part about burning the DVD is waiting for it to finish. I recommend burning your first DVD test discs on a re-writable because you (like many before you) are bound to screw it up a few times before getting it right.

Good luck. It's a fun hobby. But there is a lot to learn.


Darryl

[malisamson]

Thx darry that was what I was looking for, I just thought that it would have been a lot easier

[MOVIEGEEK]

If you go the PC route I recommend using a camcorder or analog to digital device and transfer via firewire.There are many "one click"DVD author programs:
Ulead DVD Moviefactory
Ulead VideoStudio
NeoDVD
Sonic MyDVD
If you will be editing use DV-AVI,if not use MPEG-2.

If you want the easiest way to transfer and have no need for editing use a standalone recorder

[dss902]

Hey,

I went from vhs-ConvertX PVR-dvd.

The ConvertX PVR was just what I was looking for as it can do the encoding on the fly and saves a ton of time.

Hope that woks for ya....

rock on

dss902

[whitejremiah]

Yep, still dont COMPLETELY have the VHS>DVD through a computer down yet, and ive been doing that for quite some time, but i will let you know, generally speaking, you can get a LOT better quality output if you do go through a computer and start dealing with video restoration....you can do a much better job with it mainly because everything doesnt have to be done "on the fly" as is whats done with a standalone recorder...if your willing to dig deeper, and start with video restoration....well, there's a LOT to learn......as far as getting the video to a pc, i'd personally recommend an ATI all in wonder video card and virtualdub to get you started, your filesizes your gonna be dealing with are gonna be pretty big (if you use a lossless compression for your capturing, which i'd highly recommend) your looking at a HUGE chunk of harddrive space, whereas you can use stuff like mjpg codecs that can get you by with around 20gb or so for a 2 hour movie, the differance being, there's a slight quality loss...but yea, be prepared to put in many, many hours till you got it down good enough that your happy with the results i will let you know though, that if your willing to do that, you can have better results than you ever thought possible from a VHS tape.....

[nelson133]

The easiest way to get it into the computer is to use a canopus advc 100 box to take the analog signal and convert it into dv-avi. The fun part comes after the video is in the computer. The cheapest and easiest way to do what you want is with a stand alone dvd recorder, assuming that you don't have macrovision copy protection on your tape. Nyah Levi

[lordsmurf]

You must learn what you are dealing with. Learn about the signal, it's properties, and what you must do to retain quality when capturing. Learn about video cards and the capture software, don't get one too limited for your desired results. Once that's done, learn about editing, then encoding, then authoring, then burning.

If you get a DVD recorder (like a VCR), then you have to worry about recording modes, and the quality and abilities of the unit. For example, LSI and Renesas chipped units (JVC, Pioneer, among others) give the best output, while crap machines like Panasonic and Cyberhome give you dark, blocky mediocre output.

Video requires skill. Lazy people and idiots cannot do it, as even when they are given easy devices like DVD recorders, they screw it up. You have to spend some time reading. Not necessarily weeks, months, or years .... but several days at minimum to get acquainted with everything. You cannot hit a magic "go" button and have it all work out. Choices will have to be made, and you need to learn the concepts so you can make the correct ones.


http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/basics/dvdintro.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/basics/quicktips.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/capture/intro.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/capture/understandsource.htm


And good luck.

[kip]

not having the experience of the experts here on the forum I decided to take an easy way to convert the 70 plus VHS movies I had by purchasing a lite-on 5005 recorder that was firmware updated to permit 3 hour recording with mirovision removed.

Copied from VCR to the lite-on on RW disc then ran them on the computer with DVD Shrink Reauther to cleanup the start and finsih points; end product looks great on my TV. Since have sold all the old VHS tapes in a garage sale which paid for the recorder.

easy for a beginner like myself with no need to further edit the movie.

[davideck]

I use a Hauppauge PVR-250 Real Time MPEG-2 encoder card, a DataVideo TBC, and a good VCR...
Very reliable. Excellent results. Hit the record button and you are on your way.

This is not rocket science. Like everyone else, you will learn as you go, and you can sweat the details if and when it becomes necessary. Hopefully, you'll have lots of fun along the way...

[otpw1]

Copied from VCR to the lite-on on RW disc then ran them on the computer with DVD Shrink Reauther to cleanup the start and finsih points; end product looks great on my TV.

This is my process also. Dvdshrink also cleans up some issues with compliance to dvd specs that some dvd recorders have.

[jman98]

First of all, I am NOT against DVDshrink. I have used and I think it's a great program. However, those of you who use it might want to take a look here:
http://home.tiscali.be/debie.roland/pgcedit/third_party/blutach/Burning%20With%20PgcEdit.htm
If you use DVDshrink, it is possible for BUPs and IFOs to be in the same block. If that block goes bad, your DVD is toast. For best results, although it takes longer, use PgcEdit to ensure 32k gaps between IFOs and BUPs, create ISOs and then burn those.

[ipdave]

I use an old settop Sanyo to record to DVD, then DVD Author Pro to trim, add menus, and now Shrink to fit as well. Saves lots of time on my HD. Use DVD-RW to record on, so don't waste disks till the final burn.